NZ North Island

My version of NZ north island tour is not the typical self-drive tour that me and frens always talk about but have not done so...

1st Stop was the Capital City: Wellington. They have strong gusty winds here. I was very impressed with the kiwis i met. Pretty knowledgeable about geography. They were explaining to me the reason behind the erratic weather and strong wind drafts in Wellington due to the shape and landscape of the south island, and the cold strong winds from the antartic ocean.
I wonder how on earth can they concentrate on work with such spectacular window view everyday?
Didn't get a chance to shop coz the shops closed at 5pm sharp. *sulkz*
Didn't get to visit some of the nice vineyards nearby coz they have planned a packed schedule for us.

After the meetings on the 3rd day, Emily and Michelle drove us to Palmerston North where we visited the Fonterra Research Centre (FRC) early next morning. The host highlighted to us that they had specially put up the flags of Chile and Singapore to welcome the 2 special guests. We were touched by their thotfulness : ) Juan Manuel was so delighted, he made us take a photo with his country's flag in the background. :) It was an interesting tour. Was told that the centre is a mini united nations, with about 80 nationalities (iirc) working there. The locals in Palmerston North make a hobby by volunteering for test tasting or experiments conducted by the researchers and scientists.

The next stop was Whareroa (Hawera) where we had lunch at the Dairyland Visitor Centre. The interactive display @ the centre backgrounds NZ's largest dairy company's products, technology and markets. Just a stone's throw away is one of the world's largest dairy processing plant. However, we didn't get to see the plant working in full steam as it was winter time, and it's the low season when the cows are hibernating. The peak dairy season is in Summer. The guide was giving us the key staggering statistics of the processes during a normal peak day: the # of Milk Tankers coming in with fresh milk collected from the dairy farms to the plant for processing. The dryers were several storeys high. It's so high tech, very different from what i was expecting to see. It's a very interesting and educational tour. :)

The majestic Mt Taranaki at 2,518 metres dominates the horizon as we rushed to New Plymouth to catch our flight to Auckland. As we didn't have time tostop for pictures, it was very thotful of Emily to send me a beautiful postcard of Mt Taranaki. Almost flipped when i saw the plane... it's a tiny plane on propellers!! Was praying non-stop throughout the flight. :P
We arrived Auckland just in time to wash up and then have dinner. The food & wine was nice, the hosts were frenly and entertaining.

Here's the SPOOKY part of the trip...
My room was the very last room along the long corridor, and furthest away from the lift. By the time i finished washing up and ready for bed, it was almost midnite. Juz as i was about to doze off into dreamland, there's this irritating knocking/thumping on the wall kind of noise. It continued for almost half an hour. It couldn't be upstairs since the floor is carpeted. It couldn't be next door, as it's an elderly couple... and the thumping/knocking noise didn't seem to come from their room. The knocking stopped when i switched on all the lights. But i was really tired after flipping thru' the mags, and decided i should get some rest, coz i had a 6am+ flight to catch. The knocking sound started again after i switched off the tv and lights!! This was getting Freaky!!! *shudderz* I was realli scared, but didn't dare to call the reception, juz in case it's an eerie voice on the other side of the phone... (hehe.. my imagination can realli Run Wild, thanks to all those scary movies i've watched) :P I ended up switching all the lights in the room, and praying on and on until i dozed off. I was up by 3am, to wash up and pack, and down @ the reception checking out by 4am. They were surprised to see me so early, before the scheduled morning call that I've requested. I only managed to get some eyeshut on my flight to Melbourne.

... so much for my 1st trip to NZ...